Epcot

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Future World is home to the most popular rides at Epcot – Soarin’ and Test Track. This land opens at 9 am and closes at 7 pm, however Soarin’ and Test Track remain open until 9 pm and you can walk through the area. Most of the attractions will be closed though.

These are hands on exhibits in 2 separate buildings. Most people make a beeline for it early in the morning, try touring it around 4 or 5 in the evening.

Look for the reverse waterfalls

Fountain of Nations – Sit and watch an amazing show

Innoventions East

– Kids under 6 will have the most fun in Innoventions East

Stormstruck

Sum of all Thrills

Innovations West

– Be sure to stop by Icestation Cool and taste Coke products from around the world. (Hint: Stay away from Beverly but trick your family into trying it)
– – Mickey and his friends meet in the character spot from 9 am to 9 pm. The line is short in the morning while everyone is racing to Soarin’ and Test Track.

– Do NOT miss this attraction. You will love it!
– Check the times guide for when it opens. It opens within the first hour of the park, but not immediately.
– Make sure your children get a good spot infront of the tank. They are going to love it!

Make sure you check out The Seas main tanks and exhibits too. You can even see divers feeding the fish!

The Land is where you find the most popular ride in Epcot, Soarin. So it is going to be crowded! The Land reminds me of a shopping mall. There are 2 levels. You enter on the second level and take either steps or the escalator down to level one where Soarin’ is located. You should avoid this area from 11 am to 3 pm because of all the restaurants. It’s like a food court with rides!

– This ride does has Fastpass.
– Minimum height is 40 inches.
– This is everyone’s main focus in the morning. I suggest sending one person ahead of your party to get everyone Fastpasses.
– The best seats are top-row center. There are 3 rows. It’s okay to ask for the lowest row.
– Listen for them to call parties of 2

– This ride does have a Fastpass. Be sure to use it if the line is longer than 20 minutes.
– This ride has a single rider line. It might be faster than using the regular line, but your party won’t get to ride together.
– The ride is 4.5 minutes.
– Minimum height is 40 inches.
– Be sure to check out the area as you leave Test Track. There are a lot of interactive things to do including cyber postcards for the family!
Send a commercial to yourself

– The green side is less intense (no spinning)
– Very enclosed space. Not much leg room.
– There is a play area as you exit the ride for the kids. You can also enter this area through the gift shop and bypass the ride all together. The play area is rather dark though.
Go in the exit
Start flipping all the dials and see what happens

World Showcase

Activities to do in the World Showcase:

Kid Cot - The Kid Cot is a program that they started to keep kids entertained and excited about each country. Right now you can get a Duffy bear cut out and have it stamped at each country’s Kid Cot Station. You could also ask them to write the kids names in different languages on the bear.

Passport - Purchase a passport in the gift shops and have it stamped in each country. (Personally I think it’s a waste of money. We have done it.)

Hats - Get a picture of your party wearing a different hat in each country

Maps - Collect maps in each country. They usually have a map in their native tongue.

Pressed Pennies – Press a penny in each country (cost is 50c plus a penny). Before going to Disney, put 2 quarters and 1 penny in a stack inside a M&M mini tube. This way you always have right what you need.

Kim Possible – Pick up a communicator and complete tasks in select countries

Character Meal: You can meet the princesses at Akershus. They serve both breakfast, lunch and dinner! If I had to choose, I’d go for Breakfast since the World Showcase is not open. Norway is very small and can quickly get crowded!

Kringla Bakeri og Kafe – We ate here on the latest trip and it was really good! We choose the Norwegian Club.

Movie: Spirit of Norway. When you get off Maelstrom you will have to wait for this movie to finish playing for the people in front of you before you will be able to exit the attraction. You can either choose to sit and watch this short film or continue on through the exit doors after riding Maelstrom.

Make sure you check out the Stave Church and see how many trolls you can count in the gardens! Also notice the REAL grass on the roofs! And get your picture made by the giant troll in Puffin’s Roost. Make sure you try on the Viking hats!

Characters

Future World

By the entrance in the mornings:Stitch
Daisy

Innoventions West area Chip and Dale – 11:30 – 4:45; usually between this building and The Land pavilion

Visa Meet and Greet in Innoventions West
Disney Visa cardholders have a special free private meet & greet is daily between 1:30 – 4:30 pm in the Innoventions West building, just past the Where’s The Fire? Guests must present their Disney Visa for their own private meeting with 2 or 3 of the Fab Five plus a free 5×7 photo.

Epcot Character Spot Mickey
Minnie
Pluto
Donald
Goofy
*Always look in the lobby as you exit. I have seen both Mary Poppins and Jasmine here.

I was at Disney the week after you were and the second day my friend and I did Epcot, we stumbled across a character courtyard or sorts that wasn’t on the map or the times guide. It was between UK and Canada, in the big walkway that leads up to a building thats used for conventions and special events, the big gates were open and there were about 10 characters in there hanging out! They had Smee out front of the gates I think to divert the crowd from continuing to come in, he was getting into place as we walked up, and then not long after we walked in, the big gates were shut, we had to exit through a door off to the side. Baloo, Rafaki, MINNIE MOUSE!, Goofy, Donald, The bear from Song of the South / Splash Mountain, The fox from Pinnochio, and a county bear were all there, there wasn’t even a CM for each one, maybe one CM for every 2. I didn’t even bother asking anyone what the occasion was, I just figured it was Disney Magic!

Innovations West (I think): The Great Piggy Bank Adventure is a lot of fun. My DD, nephew (both 13) and my niece (5) enjoyed it. You can play against each other in teams and with the goal to see who can save the most money. You get to carry your pig around with you.

I was there in Oct and went to see Captain EO while they played the Piggy game. Captain EO is a Michael Jackson music video/film from back in the 80’s. The waiting area is standing ONLY and the wait was about 15 mins.

England: Be sure to make a point to go look for Pooh/Tigger in the back of the store. The past 2 years we have gone and there has been no on else there. Pooh & Tigger goofed around with us, while the photopass photographer took pictures with his camera and mine. They were so bored, they even came into the store and started holding up shirts to see if DD liked them or not. It was a lot of fun! Also, when we were there in Oct, there was a sign by the register that had a picture of the cat from Alice in Wonderland and it said they had lost their cat and if you found him to let them know. DD found him and they gave her a certificate (and moved the cat to a new hiding spot). DD said she thought she had read that other countries do this, but this was the first time we had seen it.

Don’t automatically skip Turtle Talk with Crush if you don’t have small children. I have two teenagers and it’s a must see for our family. It’s a lot of fun just to hear what the kids say!

Also, even older kids will enjoy the aquarium. It’s a great way to cool off and a great place to relax.

In the UK, the World Showcase players are hysterical! One of my kids’ favorite memories is when my husband was picked for the show. We literally laughed until we cried.
Also, Canada does sometimes have characters…Koda and Kenai from Brother Bear. Many times they don’t seem to be listed on the times guide, but we have spotted them numerous times.
In France, a favorite spot of mine is actually behind the stores, or just past the Belle and Beast Topiary. It’s shaded, quiet and a great spot to have one of the many delicious snacks from the bakery. We like to grab a few pastries and drinks and just sit back and relax for a while. It always ends up being one of my favorite parts of the day!
In Japan, at Mitsukoshi, you can find some souvenirs that the workers will personalize for you. For instance, my daughter bought a necklace and had her name engraved on it…for under $20! I also bought fans for my nieces (for a mere $4!) and had their names written in Japanese on them! We have often found some great souvenirs here!

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Meet Kristin

My name is Kristin and I am a coupon addict. My coupon addiction feeds my other addiction, Disney. How are the two related you ask? Well I have learned how to use the money I save by couponing to pay for my yearly trips to Disney World. And I am eager to share that knowledge with all of you!

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